Getty ImagesNo. 13 Florida State vs. No. 16 Northern Illinois
Tues., Jan. 1 – 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Miami, Fla. – Sun Life Stadium
You’re likely not familiar with the Huskies. We’ll try to get you up to speed.
Northern Illinois (12-1) is the eighth team from a non-automatic qualifying conference to participate in the BCS, and the first from the Mid-American Conference. (Excited yet?)
Since opening the season with a 18-17 loss to Iowa, the Huskies have won 12 games in a row, capped off by a 44-37 double-overtime victory over Kent State in the MAC title game. (Are you liking this rather than being introduced to the Golden Flashes?)
Oddly enough, NIU won’t be coached by the man who brought them to this unlikely point and one has to wonder if Dave Doeren, who ditched the Huskies to accept an offer from N.C. State, will ever coach in a BCS bowl. (We say: “Nope.”)
Somebody who will be there is Husky quarterback Jordan Lynch, who rushed for less than 107 yards only once this season. The multi-dimensional junior also passed for nearly 3,000 yards, completed 63 percent of his passes and tossed 24 touchdowns, against only five interceptions. Against Toledo, this dude threw for 407 yards and ran for 162. If you’ve ever heard of anybody else doing anything of the sort, you’re wrong.
Win or lose — and there’s probably no way to avoid “lose” — he’s the only reason to tune in to this one.
Florida State (11-2) is destined to play uninspired ball. The loss to Florida on Nov. 24 sapped the Seminoles of their mojo. You could see that in their lackluster 21-15 victory over Georgia Tech in the ACC title game.
If the BCS bowl rotation was something different and FSU got paired against a marquee program, it would have proudly risen to the occasion. The ‘Noles might even need to fall behind to get jolted into action.
Opening point spread: Florida State by 14
The pick: Florida State 26-20
Click HERE to get predictions for the remaining bowl games.
John: Good analysis, as usual. Really would rather think more than I do about FSU, but though I think they will win, the Orange Bowl may not be the game to watch. I will watch it but I would expect a game between the top 6 SEC teams to be much better. The matchup this season in the bowls seem strange.
FSU 33-21
Similar to the Sugar Bowl, again I ask, why is FL State playing #16 Illinois in the Orange Bowl? This is the bowl system we are fighting so hard to protect? What a crock!
my prediction…..less than 40,000 fans bother to show up for this joke.
Georgia belongs in this game. What a horrible match up. FSU will find a way to lose this game. To bad nobody will be watching it though.
@305fan
Yes, it is too bad. It’s also too bad you slept through 2nd grade grammar.
NIU will get 20 on FSU’s defense? Really? I think this game is over by half time. When a coach leaves a program before a bowl game, it never ends well. See Cincinnati in the 09′ Sugar bowl
“EJ Manuel will do his best to keep the game with Northern Illinois close” – kirk herbstreit
I hate so say it but herbstreit may be on to something
Against Toledo, this dude threw for 407 yards and ran for 162. If you’ve ever heard of anybody else doing anything of the sort, you’re wrong.
Johnny Football vs. La Tech passed for 395, rushed for 187. Is that close enough?
Thanks, thanks. Way to dish it back to these arrogant sportswriters.
FSU by 6….. Wow. Have you seen NIU’s schedule….
FSU by 14 easy… if they take there foot off the gas.
thanksandgigem says:
Dec 3, 2012 12:14 PM
Against Toledo, this dude threw for 407 yards and ran for 162. If you’ve ever heard of anybody else doing anything of the sort, you’re wrong.
Johnny Football vs. La Tech passed for 395, rushed for 187. Is that close enough?
++++++++++++++++++++++++
And LA Tech > Toledo too!
@mcjon22
“When a coach leaves a program before a bowl game, it never ends well. ”
Really mcjon22?
See Bill Stewart, 2008 Fiesta Bowl
See Bill Stewart, 2008 Fiesta Bowl
WVU had Pat White and winning the big east meant something in 08′. I compared NIU to cincy because, well, it’s cincy. A team that overachieved and was playing someone far superior in talent. This will be the same thing